The Commission observes that over the past decade, Central Africa and West Africa, which previously functioned as transit routes for illegal drugs from South America, have undergone a notable transformation into thriving narcotics markets, accompanied by a concerning rise in local consumers.

The Commission commends the endeavours of the public administrative bodies and their partners in combating abuse and illicit drug trafficking, particularly the seizure, on 30 May 2024, of a consignment of cocaine with a street value of 1.3 billion CFA francs by Cameroonian customs at the Douala International Airport. The cocaine weighing 24.5 kg, had originated in São Paulo, in Brazil. The contraband was concealed within handbags and footwears. On the same day, a Cameroonian citizen aged 60 years or over, who was demonstrably involved in the illicit trade, was apprehended and presented before the State counsel of the High Court of Douala-Bonanjo for investigation in connection with the aforementioned case.

The Commission also commends the signing, on 25 September 2023, of Circular No. 23/0007/MINESUP/SG/IGS/DAJ, by the Minister of Higher Education, on the fight against the production, possession, consumption and commercialisation of cannabis and other drugs in university milieus.

The Commission commends the training workshop for educators on making schools safe from drug trafficking consumption held on 23 August 2023 at the headquarters of the “Francophone Young Volunteer” (JVF) located in the 2nd district municipality of Yaoundé.

The Commission commends the implementation by public authorities of the recommendations made to them in the previous Statement to mark the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, in particular the National Strategic Plan for the Fight against Drugs (PSNLD) adopted in Ebolowa on 30 November 2023, at a workshop to finalise the matrix of priority actions and develop the implementation mechanism, organised by the National Committee for the Fight against Drugs (CNLD) from 27 to 30 November 2023.

The Commission recommends that the Ministries of Secondary Education, Basic Education, Women’s Empowerment and the Family, of Social Affairs, and of Youth and Civic Education should intensify awareness-raising campaigns among young people, on the danger of drug use.

The Commission requests any individual who has been affected by drug abuse or illicit trafficking, either as a victim or witness, to contact the relevant authorities free of charge. These include the Police on 117 and the Gendarmerie on 113. The Commission equally requests that any individual who has been subjected to or witnessed any human rights infringement and particularly one affecting the right to health and a healthy environment, to contact it, including via its toll-free number 1523.

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Toll Free Number 1523 Numéro Vert